The Mysteries (Hardcover)

~ Lisa Tuttle (Author) "The strangest memory of my childhood concerns my father's disappearance..." (more)
Key Phrases: Doon Hill, Amy Schneider, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Despite its contemporary settings (Scotland, London and Texas), Tuttle's superlative dark fantasy, her first novel since The Pillow Friend (1996), draws on the classic, largely Celtic folklore of people who vanish mysteriously because they have gone to the realm of the sidhe—the fairy folk. Some never return, at least not to their families. Others can be found again, such as Amy Schneider, rescued by the engaging Ian Kennedy, who took up a career of tracing such persons after going in search of his missing father. Some, like the melancholy woman who calls herself Fred, won't stay in the mundane world even if you try to force them. Ian is afraid this might be the trouble with his latest quarry, the beautiful Peri Lensky. Complications arise when Peri's boyfriend, Hugh Bell-Rivers, says she may have gone off with a man named Mider, which happens to be the name of a sidhe king. All the while, Ian is tormented by the disappearance of his own true love, Jenny Macedo, some years before. Tuttle has total command of setting, style and her folklore sources. The ambiguous ending holds out hope for both Ian and the reader. In a field overflowing with sequels, it's refreshing to find a fantasy that truly merits one.
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From Bookmarks Magazine

The award-winning Tuttle, a native Texan who now lives in Scotland, has written 15 novels for adults and children, including Lost Futures and The Pillow Friend. The Mysteries proves she’s “at the top of her craft” (Rocky Mountain News). Mixing fantastical elements into a detective tale, Tuttle weaves a fascinating story of strange disappearances set against ancient Celtic folklore. She also delves deeply into Ian Kennedy’s psychology-the emotions surrounding his long-missing lover, his father’s disappearance, and his steadfast mission to find missing persons, at all costs. The brief chapters about past disappearances sprinkled throughout the narrative add interesting, if unrelated, subplots. Yet even these barely detract from a novel that, at its core, examines how we make choices that take us far beyond our earthly existence.

Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Spectra; First Edition edition (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553382969
• ISBN-13: 978-0553382969
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,502,299 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Grounded development of a fairie tale, May 13, 2005

By	John W. Oliver (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

I picked up the book originally because. George R. R. Martin mentioned on his website that he was reading this book, and he seemed supportive of the author. Being a fan of the Song of Fire & Ice, I decided to check out the book.

I found the story to be very grounded in the real world, though it does end up being a faerie story. She works in the faerie aspect rather well, not having it overwhelm the development of the characters. The development is also very grounded in myths and that both site and even told at times. Through this method, she helps support the plausibility of the story.

Overall, the pacing of the story is excellent. The interspersing of flashbacks, folklore and the current narrative was excellently done, introducing information at the appropriate time as well as developing Ian and the setting.

My one complaint is that I am not sure I like the ending in the fact that there is no final resolution for Ian. He is left hanging with decisions unmade. While it does spark the imagination of the reader and I definitely wondered what would happen in a number of possible scenarios, I found the end unfulfilling.

In the end, I would definitely recommend this book. It is an excellent read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unique, June 5, 2007

By	Bookphile (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Mysteries (Paperback)

Intriguing from start to finish. A very interesting blend of mystery, fantasy, and compelling story lines about the human condition. I've never read anything quite like it, which really appealed to me as I'm always thrilled to find something that's fresh.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but not great. , April 7, 2005

By	Jeffrey Jones "sadcaddy" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read this book on the recommendation of a friend and fellow bookworm. I have to say I thought it was good but not great. The overall story, pacing and incremental development of story was terrific. I also enjoyed the interspersed short chapters of accounts detailing similar disappearances, thus lending the story a more haunting and mythical feel. What brought the story down for me was the unbelievable narrator as a middle-aged American man. Ian as a character was just unconvincing, yet as a narrator was good. I found myself about halfway through really enjoying the story yet not really that interested in the other characters, Hugh and Laura. All in all if you enjoy detective novels and fantasy novels you might enjoy this one.